have to refuse for
lack of shells. At the Brickstacks we used to often fire--almost
daily--from 150 to 350 rounds Agressive Action on Hun Tender Spots. It
was then that we could retaliate about 50 to 1 if they were
sufficiently "agressed" to fire back. That kept the line--our side
(!)--quiet.

"We all moved down in October, 1916, to the Ancre show, and a horrible
wet march it was. We separated for a bit, the Battery going to the
Scottish 51st Division. We were then rejoined by our own Infantry at
Beaumont Hamel. I got smashed up and was evacuated home, and just
after, my best Officer, Lieut. H.W. Ainley was burned to death at the
Wagon Line. He was a splendid fellow and very well known to the 17th.

"Officers and men of both Units were always together and better
feeling between them could not exist. It was a great honour to know
the 17th and we gloried in being the Battery to cover them at the P.
of E. in a raid." [The P. of E. is the Point of Entry, necessitating
very accurate gunlaying, timing, and strict adherence to the barrage
programme.]

[Illustration: "THE OUTPOST" STAFF ON ACTIVE SERVICE.]

[Illustration: THE ORIGINAL EDITORIAL STAFF.
Sgt. FERGUSON, the late Sgt. REITH and Pte. HUTCHESON.
_To face page 81._]

"THE OUTPOST."

One of the most outstanding activities of the Battalion was the
production of a periodical which combined a considerable high level of
artistic and literary excellence with a racy narrative of Battalion
news and _personalia_. This regimental magazine of the 17th H.L.I. was
conceived in 1914, though actually founded early in 1915, and from
that time, throughout all the rigours of work at home--and the
extraordinary difficulties of operations in the Field, _The Outpost_
was produced, and well produced. Perhaps more than anything, the
standard and record of this production, and its acceptance and
success, both within the unit and with an ever growing general public,
reflects the intellectual level of those who composed the Battalion.
In an appreciation which appeared in _The Glasgow News_ in June, 1919,
on the occasion of the completion of the seventh volume, it is
remarked--"Nursed in its early youth by an editorial staff that was
not without experience, it proved a lusty infant, and as the years
went on it gained in strength.

"In a sort of valedictory--for the magazine will still be published
annually by the Seventeen Club--the editor sings its praises. He has